1. Planning and Conducting Data Collection – Community and Focus Group Discussions Session 3.1 Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

2. Session Objectives After this session, participants should be able to: Describe the fundamentals of using focus group and community discussions in applied qualitative research. Improve their skills in moderation and note- taking. Moderate a focus group discussion. Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

3. Discussions VS. Interviews (reminders) Discussions (FGDs and CDs)Interviews Appropriate for Eliciting opinions about group norms Discovering variety within a population Eliciting individual experiences, opinions, feelings. Addressing sensitive topics StrengthElicits information on a range of norms and opinions in a short time. Group dynamic stimulates conversation and reactions Elicits in-depth responses, with nuances and contradictions. Gets interpretive perspective Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

4. Why do some FGDs and CDs go wrong? Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

5. FGDs & CDs: Success Fundamentals Team Participants Place and Facilities Time 1- Plan Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

6. – Know your objective and develop discussion guide – How to kick-off – Build rapport – Establish Ground rules – use participatory tools when possible – Be aware of group dynamics and different personalities and emotional states 2- Be Aware of Effective Moderation FGDs: Success Fundamentals Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

7. FGD & CD Moderating Tips A good moderator…. – Shows flexibility – Shows sensitivity – Has a sense of (acceptable) humor – Links ideas together and probes – Encourages everyone to participate Tries not to – Dictate course of discussion – Lose control over conversation – Judge comments – Use leading question Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

8. FGDs & CDS: Success Fundamentals 3- Effective Note-Taking (Reminder) – Review discussion guide thoroughly – Develop note-taking form – Make room for observations – Identify areas for improvement/gap filling – Note quotes (but be strategic) – Make sure to expand your notes (same day) – Make room for your own conclusions (but mark as such) – Record participant identifiers – Record both question and response Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

9. Exercise 7 Group Task One assessment team, 3 members. A group of 8 focus group participants. The Rest: Observers. 10-15 minutes for assessment team to prepare for moderating FGD (during which other group members will prepare roles) 35-40 minutes for undertaking FGD. 50 min for group work Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

10. Debriefing Were the aims accomplished? Was the essential information extracted? What were the conclusions? What lessons did you learn. Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments

11. Break 30 min Qualitative Approaches for FS Assessments